'Nonylphenol' Exceeds Standard by 1.4 Times
Legoland "Full Recall and Refund Measures"
'Nonylphenol,' a substance that causes reproductive organ developmental disorders, was detected in the 'Unicorn Hat' sold at Legoland Resort in Chuncheon, Gangwon Province.
According to Legoland Korea on the 15th, the safety investigation of children's products conducted by the National Institute of Technology and Standards under the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy found that the 'Unicorn Hat' (LL1-331) sold there contained the harmful chemical nonylphenol at 1.4 times the standard limit (total 100 mg/kg).
Following the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy's recall order, Legoland has immediately stopped selling the product and is currently recalling and refunding all products already sold.
Legoland stated, "Customers can bring the product to the customer center or store, or send it by courier (freight collect), and we will provide a refund regardless of whether the product has been used or not," adding, "Since this is a measure for product recall, we kindly ask for your understanding that refunds are only possible upon return of the product."
They continued, "We plan to strengthen quality inspections on all products from the same manufacturer by conducting re-inspections, and we apologize again for the inconvenience caused by the product issue. We will make every effort to manage quality to prevent the same problem from occurring."
The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy emphasized, "Exposure to nonylphenol can cause reproductive organ developmental disorders. Consumers who possess the product should immediately stop using it."
On the 12th, British Scout members participating in the Saemangeum World Scout Jamboree entered Legoland in Chuncheon City, Gangwon Province. [Image source=Yonhap News]
The nonylphenol detected this time is the main raw material of nonylphenol ethoxylate, which is used as a surfactant. When entering the body, it is known as an endocrine-disrupting substance (environmental hormone) that acts similarly to hormones.
Excessive accumulation of nonylphenol is reported to cause precocious puberty and birth defects in females, and suppress male hormone secretion in males, leading to erectile dysfunction or azoospermia.
Nonylphenol ethoxylate is mainly used in the dyeing process of textile products. In early 2020, during the COVID-19 pandemic, nonylphenol was detected at about 28 times the standard limit in children's cotton masks, causing controversy.
© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.
